1731 — pp. 26 (1), [4], 155; (1), 218, [11]. Nice woodcut head and tail pieces, and other typographic ornaments. 12mo. 175 mm. Marbled endpapers. Contemporary French full leather binding, with raised bands, and gilt tooled spine. Slightly worn at extremities, but still very tight and attractive. Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (1627-1704) was a French bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a master of French style. Court preacher to Louis XIV, Bossuet was a strong advocate of political absolutism and the divine right of kings. He argued that government was divine and that kings received their power from God. He was also an important courtier and politician. Edited by his nephew J. B. Bossuet, Bishop of Troyes. Includes: "Traite de la concupiscence. Ou Exposition de ces paroles de saint Jean: N'aimez pas le monde, ni ce qui est dans le monde, &c." which has a half-title and separate paging, and the Colophon: De l'imprimerie de Claude Simon. An inclination toward sin and evil is called "concupiscence". Catholics taught that Baptism erases this tendency of original sin and turns man back towards God. The inclination toward sin and evil persists, however, and he must continue to struggle against concupiscence. An excellent example of a scarce book. Brunet I. 1139; Quérard I. 431; Hoefer NBG VI. 795. Chest 2/1
